Genre
Definition of genre: "a class or category of artistic endeavour having a particular form,content, technique, or the like:
the genre of epic poetry; the genre of symphonic music."
- Dictionary.com (2016). Definition of Genre. Available: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/genre. Last accessed 3/10/16.
the genre of epic poetry; the genre of symphonic music."
- Dictionary.com (2016). Definition of Genre. Available: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/genre. Last accessed 3/10/16.
Example of a Sci-Fi genre movie: In Time
The film "In Time" has many key conventions of different Genres. One key convention is Sci-Fi. This is because the movie is set in the future world where Time is currency. The motor vehicles also have a sci-fi look to them. The people don't change appearance once they reach the age of 25, this doesn't happen in the real world. The use of colour throughout this movie is a key convention to sci-fi. The representation of Green in the movie is used on the wrist of every human. The lower the timezone the richer it becomes, is the main locations that occurred throughout the movie. The villains in both movies wear dark clothed items, suggesting that they are the main villains. Another Sci-fi convention movie is The Matrix, which also follows the convention of colour. This movie uses green to illustrate the coding of the matrix on the computer screen. This also represents history as simple coding programs are often green. The Matrix Screen
Another key convention in "In Time" and "The Matrix" is Action. There are a number of fighting scenes in both movies, which also uses guns to represent conflict between good and evil. Both the movies use city locations to create a hustling atmosphere, trying to make it as real as possible. The use of green in the Matrix suggests that the other world is growing.
Colour representation - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/380413499754424234/
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"In Time" Logo Image
Official "In Time" Trailer (2011)
The Matrix Trailer (1999)
Auteur theoryAuteur theory is a theory that is based around the directors personal vision. The director can use camera-angles, lighting props and costumes to determine his thoughts and ideas towards his feelings. I agree with this statement as the film provides the viewers of what the directors artistic vision is. And how the storyline or plot is unveiled.
History Auteur Theory began in 1940 with the first movies being brought out by André Bazin and Alexandre Astruc. It has since been applied to producers of popular music, as well as people who make video games. Beginning of Auteur Theory The beginning of auteur theory was when Alexandre Astruc came up with the idea of Camera-stylo. This meant that the director |
should be able to decide on which shots to use. Just like how an author would choose their words. This soon became much greater, where the director would begin to create there own style whilst creating their movie.
eXAMPLES OF GENRE AND AUTEURS
Different types of genre are:
An example of genre classification is defined by a specific genre, for example Avatar is a Sci-fi / Action movie as it has specfic conventions from the Scifi and Action genre.
- Comedy
- Animation
- Documentary
- Adventure
- Biography
An example of genre classification is defined by a specific genre, for example Avatar is a Sci-fi / Action movie as it has specfic conventions from the Scifi and Action genre.
Apply Genre Theory
Apply a genre reading to a film, with reference to several different films
Avatar (2009)
The Main Genres of avatar is: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
I can tell this is an Action movie because there is a lot of fighting scenes throughout he movie.
I can tell this is an Adventure movie because there are different locations that the characters come across.
I can tell this is a Fantasy movie because it has creatures that aren't real, and could be classed as aliens.
I can tell this is a Sci-Fi film because it has advanced technology that we don't have today, and they are on a different planet, not Earth.
I can tell this is an Adventure movie because there are different locations that the characters come across.
I can tell this is a Fantasy movie because it has creatures that aren't real, and could be classed as aliens.
I can tell this is a Sci-Fi film because it has advanced technology that we don't have today, and they are on a different planet, not Earth.
Codes and conventions that Avatar hit were:
How does the cast, crew, setting, camera, music and editing impact the genres?
One way the cast impacts on the genre is that some of them are dressed up as characters. The setting creates the sense of mystery and impacts by setting it in an adventurous world that is different to ours in real-life. There are fast camera movements, which creates tension building up in the fight scenes. He couldn't wait for technology to catch up, so he created a new filming style also known as stereoscopic cameras, one on top of each other, to create a different vision of each scene.
- High Production Value- - The production of Avatar would have been made to a good standard, to make the special effects look real.
- Target Audience - This is rated a 12A so it is intended for teenagers, but is also intended for adults as it has guns.
- Lighting - The lighting was mostly bright out in the wilderness, suggesting the sun. But in the base of the humans, it was dark, fore shadowing the presence of evil.
- Story Line - It is a simple story line and this is often found that money is the main objective. And in this movie, there is a substance found on Pandora, that is worth 20 million per kilo. The sacred grounds earned by the avatars is the "money pit". And so there is a big battle between both sides to fight over the sacred grounds.
How does the cast, crew, setting, camera, music and editing impact the genres?
One way the cast impacts on the genre is that some of them are dressed up as characters. The setting creates the sense of mystery and impacts by setting it in an adventurous world that is different to ours in real-life. There are fast camera movements, which creates tension building up in the fight scenes. He couldn't wait for technology to catch up, so he created a new filming style also known as stereoscopic cameras, one on top of each other, to create a different vision of each scene.
James Cameron on set with one of his stereoscopic cameras
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Music is well played throughout the film, from exploration to fighting there is music that fits in perfectly for the purpose.
Editing is fast paced throughout this action thriller film. It is faced paced in the adventure style of it, and is fast in the fighting scenes. However the tribal world has a more slower approach to the U.S army as they control more power.
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apply your knowledge of genre and auteur theory to your own work
Short Film:
I used my knowledge of genre to help me through the first assessment. There was no evidence of Auter as it was a week for the deadline, and i couldn't find my own working path.
Short-Trailer:
I'm really happy how this turned out to be, and i gained more knowledge in all aspects of making this.
I used my knowledge of genre to help me through the first assessment. There was no evidence of Auter as it was a week for the deadline, and i couldn't find my own working path.
Short-Trailer:
I'm really happy how this turned out to be, and i gained more knowledge in all aspects of making this.
Point break & tERMINATOR
Compare the contexts you have looked at in terms of similarities and differences.
‘Terminator’.
Terminator is a film based around two adults "Kyle Reese and Sarah Connor". Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese are the protagonists of this film whilst the Terminator is the person who tries to kill Sarah before she can give birth to the leader of the resistance John Connor.
‘Point Break’.
Point Break is a film based around a surfing community in America which is made of teenagers who every summer rob banks to pay for their almost "religious passion" to surf.
However under the watchful eye of the FBI, they send a secret agent to learning this religious culture whilst destroying theplans to rob another bank and to end what they had started.
Characters in Terminator and Point Break.
Terminator Characters:
Sahra Connor:
Point Break Characters:
Johnny Utah:
What are the similarity and differences of Terminator and Point Break?
One of the main similarities between Terminator and Point Break is the casting choices, for example the main characters in Terminator are Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) This shows that for a majority of the cast it was a male casting with almost no female cast members. Unfortunately it is the same situation with Point Break with the main characters being Johnny Utah (Keanu Reever), Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) and Tyler (Lori Petty), this shows that in the 80s-90s and even still to today there is a severe lack of strong female characters. This makes both the films seem more sexist towards men being stronger.
However one of the differences between Terminator and Point Break is that at the at the end of Terminator Sarah Connor has developed from a soft character to a wise and powerful character. however this has an opposite effect in point break where Lori Pettys character goes from being a hard character into a vulnerable character.
‘Terminator’.
Terminator is a film based around two adults "Kyle Reese and Sarah Connor". Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese are the protagonists of this film whilst the Terminator is the person who tries to kill Sarah before she can give birth to the leader of the resistance John Connor.
‘Point Break’.
Point Break is a film based around a surfing community in America which is made of teenagers who every summer rob banks to pay for their almost "religious passion" to surf.
However under the watchful eye of the FBI, they send a secret agent to learning this religious culture whilst destroying theplans to rob another bank and to end what they had started.
Characters in Terminator and Point Break.
Terminator Characters:
Sahra Connor:
- Strong female character with significant character development throughout this film.
- She likes to follows modern trends i.e. she follows the fashion of the 80s with big fuzzy hair
- She is a sweet and innocent young girl working in a diner
- Weaker character compared to physical strength in comparison to the Terminator.
- Anxious and shy
- Ready for anything
- Willing to lose everything for the sake of his mission
- Physically strong
- Unstoppable
- Ruthless
- Cold
Point Break Characters:
Johnny Utah:
- Johnny is an ex-quarterback
- strong
- Passionate
- Competitive
- Wild
- Passionate
- well-driven
- Strong
- Strong
- Masculine look
- Mentally strong
- Tries to fit in
- Emotionally unstable.
What are the similarity and differences of Terminator and Point Break?
One of the main similarities between Terminator and Point Break is the casting choices, for example the main characters in Terminator are Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) This shows that for a majority of the cast it was a male casting with almost no female cast members. Unfortunately it is the same situation with Point Break with the main characters being Johnny Utah (Keanu Reever), Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) and Tyler (Lori Petty), this shows that in the 80s-90s and even still to today there is a severe lack of strong female characters. This makes both the films seem more sexist towards men being stronger.
However one of the differences between Terminator and Point Break is that at the at the end of Terminator Sarah Connor has developed from a soft character to a wise and powerful character. however this has an opposite effect in point break where Lori Pettys character goes from being a hard character into a vulnerable character.
Themes
Terminator (Cameron, 1984)
Terminator (Cameron, 1984)
- The rise of the machines: technology overpowering man - this taps into the rapid advancement in technology in the 1980's and the new data based workplace and society
- Technology Vs. Humanity
- It has a biblical theme with Sarah Connor producing a son who will save the world
T2 Judgement Day
- Family Relationships - The T101 is a father figure to John. Sarah is a cold unfeeling mother on a mission. Miles Dyson is obsessed with his work and creating new technology and neglects his real Family.
- Child Hood and the loss of inocence - lots of images of childeren playing
- The rise of the machines: Technology overpowering man - The terminators look and act more normal. They have become more adaptable. The T1000 speaks normally and is more indistinguishable
- It has a biblical theme with Sarah Connor producing a son who will save the world.
What is typically found in a story / film
Batman - 1989 - Pre 9/11
In this film, Bruce Wayne is a rich entrepreneur of Wayne Industries who leads a double life as Batman, protecting citizens but the same time, he crosses path of both good and evil. The character of Bruce Wayne/Batman is that he works alone, like the character of Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator. He is a vigilante because he witnessed his parents murder at a young age and has effected him throughout the film, so he feels the urge to help other people and not let them suffer through the pain that he once felt. Another reason for this is because no one else can. In the 1980s, this character type is popular, especially with action films, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator. Batman is an anti-hero and looks menacing in his costume, But in Terminator Arnie is dressed to look like the villain, but is actually the hero.
The character of Terminator:
The character of Terminator:
- Physically Strong
- Unstoppable
- Ruthless
- Cold
In Batman we see Michael Keaton as a Physically Strong Character because He doesn't get defeated by any characters and also backs up the Unstoppable point.
Cast:
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Four lions (2010) - (POST 9/11)
Four Lions is a Comedy film directed by Chris Morris and also written by himself, Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong. The film follows a group of a homegrown terrorist group from Sheffield in the United Kingdom.
Plot
A group of 4 young British Muslims aspire to become suicide bombers. They are Omar, who is deeply critical of Western Society; also his dimwitted friend, Waj; Barry who turns out to be a very bad tempered indiidual Ans rhe naive Faisal who tries to tame crows to be used as bombers. Barry turns out to be the only white british within the terrorist group. Along throughout the story Barry recruits a fifth member, Hassan.
Both Omar and Waj are selected to embark into Pakistan to a terrorist training camp, which ends in disaster as Omar miss-fires a rocket backwards killing fellow jihadists. However upon the arrival in Britain he uses the experience he gained to assert authority within the rest of the group.
The group begin by stashing lots of materials for making improvised explosive devices, but disagree about who or what to target. Barry wants to bomb a local mosh as he think that the operation would "radicalise the moderates", but Omar considers this idea idiotic. Faisal suggests blowing up a branch of the pharmacy chain Boots, but Omar states that it isn't a worth-wihle target and wouldn't have an impact upon the United Kingdom and the World.
The group think they are compromised when Hassan allows their neighbour into the safe house. The group think they have been compromised and transport the explosives to a new location in TESCO carrier Bags. Faisal accidentally trips in a field while carrying the explosives and blows up himself along with a sheep. This causes a fight and a row among the remaining four, who disband; but they reconcile and Omar decides to target the upcoming London Marathon.
Both Omar and Waj are selected to embark into Pakistan to a terrorist training camp, which ends in disaster as Omar miss-fires a rocket backwards killing fellow jihadists. However upon the arrival in Britain he uses the experience he gained to assert authority within the rest of the group.
The group begin by stashing lots of materials for making improvised explosive devices, but disagree about who or what to target. Barry wants to bomb a local mosh as he think that the operation would "radicalise the moderates", but Omar considers this idea idiotic. Faisal suggests blowing up a branch of the pharmacy chain Boots, but Omar states that it isn't a worth-wihle target and wouldn't have an impact upon the United Kingdom and the World.
The group think they are compromised when Hassan allows their neighbour into the safe house. The group think they have been compromised and transport the explosives to a new location in TESCO carrier Bags. Faisal accidentally trips in a field while carrying the explosives and blows up himself along with a sheep. This causes a fight and a row among the remaining four, who disband; but they reconcile and Omar decides to target the upcoming London Marathon.
Compare auteur theory + genre theory
One of the strengths of Genre is that with no understanding of genre the audience can determine what to expect from a Sci-Fi, Action or Horror film. this is be because of how mainstream genre and the understanding is or perhaps this could be a weakness because the audience can only watch a certain film because it is a specific genre and this could damage the film industry because people might become biased and unwilling to watch a certain film due to the genre.
One Strength of Auteur is that it has become common knowledge of what to expect from a certain director. One advantage for the audience is that they can rely on a director to direct a film in a certain way or format, but to them however this could become a problem for the director because they become locked in a certain style without being able to change without making their name bad in the film industry.
How did genre theory impact my work?
At the start i didn't know what Genre was. But once we researched it, and was able to find out what it means. Then throughout the year we have categorised our projects into genres. Or given a genre to make.
Short Film: - At the start i didn't know what Genre was. I researched it and put it in my blog so i could remember what it meant. Our first ever assignment was a short film. we were required to create a horror genre film. I felt like that my group would have hit the convention with the new knowledge of genre theory. Unfortunately there was no work that could result as auteur theory, however I am unsure about how I was able to do this because it was my first film I did not have the time to create my own style and become an auteur.
48 Hour Interactive Film Challenge: - The group I was assigned had approached this task in a different way. Our interactive film was about a hostage escaping from a garage she's tied up in. The viewers are required to chose how she escapes, using certain tools. Here is a break down and the right choices:
One of the genres that stand out in our film was Horror. We associated this with tension building and dark lighting. At the part she opens the garage door to escape the light suggests that it was the right path and that she got out to freedom.
With the knowledge I had gained I knew that we should use weapons as this symbolises Horror. Horror films tend to use more brutal weapons that create a gruesome and violent attack. Examples of weapons used are an axe, chainsaw, knife, kitchen cutlery and blunt objects e.g. pipes. We used a screwdriver, scissors, Hedge Cutters and a shovel. This was to make the conventions not the same as other Short Films.
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A great short film I found while searching YouTube was The Jester:
This film was made by a group of Students. I really like this film because of the way it was shot and how the story line is. One of the main weakness points in the film is that the male actor who gets out of the car, acted really badly. However the Jester and the main Character played very Well.
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Music plays an important role within a Film and Media because it creates tension and build up. This is very well made in "The Jester" Because there is mysterious music played when the jester is first introduced. I like it how the Jester isn't there but then the camera moves to the right of the trick or treaters, and then the jester moves into the shot. I also like at 3:15 the music builds up and you expect something horrific to happen.
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But the jester simply cant wait for him to shuffle the cards. So the jester takes it from his hands and shuffles the deck himself.
How 2017 influences my work
Technology
In today’s world we have access to a range of technology that we can use to film, edit and even upload to the internet to review and gain feedback. We can also create a strong fan base of viewers which will watch and support your content as you improve your skills. An example of this is YouTube.
Accessibility
Today throughout the world we have access to ranges of different technology, from mobile phones, Cameras, Computers and many other products which we can film and edit on for a low price. However if you go back a few decades you will find that access to the technology was very hard to find and even extremely expensive from the making aspect, to even hiring out the kit. This made most film makers impossible to be able to create their own film at a low price.
In today’s world we have access to a range of technology that we can use to film, edit and even upload to the internet to review and gain feedback. We can also create a strong fan base of viewers which will watch and support your content as you improve your skills. An example of this is YouTube.
Accessibility
Today throughout the world we have access to ranges of different technology, from mobile phones, Cameras, Computers and many other products which we can film and edit on for a low price. However if you go back a few decades you will find that access to the technology was very hard to find and even extremely expensive from the making aspect, to even hiring out the kit. This made most film makers impossible to be able to create their own film at a low price.
I think that 2016 / 2017 has a lot has influenced me a lot because of how the world has evolved around technology. For example YouTube is Improved itself, not only the website but the content creators. A video that was shared on Facebook of a Famous YouTube is PewdiePie.